Athletics News

WACO, Texas - For the ninth consecutive year, the Baylor Bear Foundation will provide a record-breaking gift to Baylor Athletics, as the generosity of its 3,000 members allowed it to raise more than $9.3 million in scholarship support for the school's 19-sport intercollegiate athletics program during the 2012-13 fiscal year.

"This has been a truly exceptional year for the Bear Foundation," said Baylor Director of Athletics Ian McCaw. "To have a record-breaking year concurrent with the Baylor Stadium campaign, when more than $100 million in capital support was raised, is a credit to Baylor Nation and our loyal donors. The momentum of Baylor Athletics and success of our student-athletes and teams is a direct result of the financial support that comes from Bear Foundation members."

For the most-recent fiscal year, which ended May 31, the Bear Foundation contributed a record $9.3 million for scholarship support of Baylor's 19 intercollegiate programs. The BBF's 2012-13 contribution is an increase of more than $1M over its 2011-12 then-record gift of $8.3 million, and its annual giving total ($7 million) was also a Foundation record. The Bear Foundation's year-end totals do not reflect any capital gifts received during the year.

"I'm very proud of everyone that participated in this year's fund drive that resulted in another record-breaking year," said Doug Smith, Executive Associate Athletic Director and Executive Director of the BBF. "It all starts with the success of our coaches and student athletes but I also want to thank and give special mention to our staff, board of directors and all our volunteers who helped mke this year's fund raising year a success for Baylor athletics."

Over the last nine years, the Bear Foundation's annual support of scholarships for Baylor's student-athletes has nearly tripled, from $3.312 million in 2004-05 to 2012-13's record-breaking total. The Bear Foundation topped the $4 million mark for the first time in 2006-07, reached $5 million the following year (2007-08), topped $6 million for the first time in 2008-09 and cleared the $7 million threshold in 2009-10 before surpassing the $8 million mark a year ago and climbing past $9 million for the first time ever this past year. Annual giving has grown from $2.565 million in 2004-05 to more than $7.057 million during the recently completed academic year.

A year after watching all 19 of its teams reach postseason play for the first time in school history, Baylor's 2012-13 athletic season wasn't a bad encore, as it advanced 17 of its 19 teams to postseason play and won five Big 12 Conference championships. The five conference titles were one shy of a school record and brought the Bears' all-time Big 12 total to 50 championships, which ranks fourth among current Big 12 teams. BU ranks second in the league with 41 titles claimed since 2003-04.

Baylor football earned a third consecutive bowl bid and won the 2012 Holiday Bowl, finishing the season with a four-game winning streak including a victory over No. 1 Kansas State. The men's basketball squad won the NIT to claim the first national tournament championship in the program's 107-year history.

In the classroom, Baylor tied the University of Texas for first place among league schools with its 71 percent student-athlete federal graduation rate, the sixth time in the Big 12's 17-year history it has finished with the league's top grad rate. A school-record tying 630 student-athletes were named to the Big 12's 2012-13 Commissioner's Honor Rolls, while a Baylor-record 159 student-athletes earned Academic All-Big 12 honors and a record 256 were named to Baylor's Deans List. In addition, Baylor had a school-record six Capital One Academic All-Americans, including one Academic All-American of the Year for their respective sport, and four Big 12 Scholar-Athletes.

Individuals looking to join the Baylor Bear Foundation or purchase premium season tickets to football, men's basketball or women's basketball games, may call the Foundation office at 254.710.2582.